…Over 61 vendors offer discounted clothing, food, household items
Residents of Rivers State have been given an opportunity to purchase food, clothing and household items at discounted prices ahead of the Christmas and back-to-school seasons through the fifth edition of the Awoof Fair Naija, tagged Awoof Fair Pitakwa V.
The two-day fair, themed “Everything Must Go!”, commenced on Saturday, November 7, and ended on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in Port Harcourt.
Founder and organiser of the fair, Mandu Ogolo, popularly known as DeclutterMama, said the initiative was designed to provide affordable shopping opportunities for residents while creating visibility and business opportunities for women-owned small and medium-scale enterprises.
Speaking at the event, Mandu said the organisers expected more than 5,000 visitors, attributing the anticipated turnout to increased publicity and advertising compared with previous editions.
She said the fair had provided a platform for vendors to make sales while enabling residents to purchase essential items at prices lower than those obtainable in conventional markets and shops.
According to her, organising the event requires between N10 million and N15 million, adding that government agencies, corporate organisations and business institutions should support initiatives that promote women-owned businesses.
She urged potential sponsors and corporate partners to invest in the fair, noting that such partnerships would provide businesses with increased visibility and opportunities to reach new customers.
Over 61 vendors participated in the fair, displaying pre-loved and surplus clothing, shoes, bags, household items and children’s products at significantly reduced prices.
The event also featured a free shopping stand where visitors could select items without making payments.
Mandu explained that the initiative was established to connect people who had household items they no longer needed with families who required such items but could not afford to purchase them at regular market prices.
She added that the free shopping stand was introduced to ensure that visitors who could not afford to buy items also benefited from the initiative.
The fair has previously been held in Port Harcourt and Uyo before becoming an annual event.
The initiative comes amid rising food and household expenses, which have continued to put pressure on the purchasing power of residents.
According to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, Rivers State recorded the second-highest month-on-month food inflation in the country in August 2026.
Some vendors, told our correspondent that they offered discounts of between 15 and 35 per cent on various products to attract customers.
They explained that the price reductions were intended to make essential and household items more accessible to residents, particularly those preparing for the Christmas celebrations.
One of the vendors, who deals in interior decoration products, bedding materials, pillows and other household accessories, said the fair provided an opportunity for customers to purchase quality products at prices they might not find in regular shops.
Another vendor, who specialises in women’s and children’s clothing, said the business community was offering substantial discounts ahead of the Yuletide season.
She expressed optimism that more customers would patronise the vendors, noting that the discounts might not be available when the Christmas rush begins.
A fabric vendor also expressed optimism about the fair, projecting a profit of more than N2 million from the two-day event.
She said she combined her business with a regular nine-to-five job and had reduced prices to enable customers with different purchasing capacities to shop.
The vendor, however, lamented the rising cost of living, urging government to address the economic difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians.
Meanwhile, some buyers who spoke with our correspondent expressed satisfaction with the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to purchase items they had previously found difficult to afford.
They said the discounted prices enabled them to shop for household necessities and children’s items ahead of the Christmas celebrations.
One of the buyers, who said she purchased several items at the fair, expressed happiness with the quality and affordability of the products.
She noted that the prices were considerably lower than those obtainable in regular markets, adding that the purchases would help her prepare for the festive season.
Another visitor commended the organisers for creating a friendly shopping environment and providing an opportunity for residents to interact directly with vendors.
The buyers also called on political leaders and government officials to fulfil their campaign promises and introduce policies that would reduce the economic burden on Nigerians.
